"Are you sure I look okay?" Madison stood in front of the floor length mirror and glanced over her shoulder at Brooklyn.

"Positively sexy" Brooklyn said without looking up. She was spread out on the bed as if she was lying on a cloud. This was her first time visiting and she seemed to be enjoying herself.

"You didn't even look" Madison pouted. She faced the mirror again and fixed the strap of her lilac dress with yellow sunflowers on it. She signed and ran her hands through her hair for the tenth time. She had been on dates before but it hadn't been with a man that she was this close with – not that this was a real date or anything. But in the past if a date went wrong she was just able to avoid the guy. Now if she screwed up she still had to face Brandon every day.

Brooklyn signed and climbed off the bed "look Madison" she said walking up behind her "you are one considerate, intelligent and sexy woman. You shouldn't be thinking or looking down on yourself".

"Its just hard" Madison said softly. She was still damaged from her past. Her confidence had taken a big hit when Alexander cheated on her. She couldn't understand that if she really was as attractive, smart and caring as her friend said she was the why would her fiancé need to go somewhere else for pleasure. Wouldn't she have been enough?

"I know baby girl, I know" Brooklyn said giving her friend a small squeeze of a hug. "But you have nothing to worry about today okay? You look fabulous and your babes will be well taken care of by yours truly. Now all you have to do is relax and enjoy yourself".

"Easier said then done" Madison grumbled. She sighed a little and glanced over at the door. Now was as good a time as any to gather the courage to leave. With one last deep breath she left her room and headed downstairs.

Brandon was standing by the front door waiting and ready. He had on a sky blue polo shirt and a kaki pants. His hair was brushed back into place unlike when Madison first saw him. "Ready sweetness?" he asked holding his arm out for her.

"Yes sir" she said glancing at her children whom were all lined up. She felt as though she was a child again going on her first date, but instead of her dad giving warning glares it was her son. "We will be home before bedtime alright?" she promised.

Both parents gave each of their kids a kiss on the head and then together they stepped out to freedom.

"So where are we going?" Madison asked as Brandon opened her door for her. He had nearly begged her to let him drive because he wanted to surprise her. Against her better judgment she allowed him. She didn't want to spoil his surprise.

"Well now where would be the fun in that?" he said climbing into his seat and starting the car.

"It would be fun for me" Madison said giving him a cheeky smile.

Brandon just laughed a little and shook his head. He turned the car onto high 401 east bound towards Scarborough. Madison wasn't sure what she had expected, maybe a lunch at some fancy restaurant downtown, but she hadn't been prepared for them to leave the city.

"How do you feel today?" Madison asked glancing over at him.

He glanced back at her and shook his head "nope, none of that today honey. Today you and I are going to focus on each other. Not on the accident" he insisted.

"Technically asking how you are is focusing on you" Madison answer playfully.

"You are one cheeky little monkey today aren't you?" Brandon teased. He smiled over at her and removed one hand from the wheel. He clasped onto her warm hand and held it in his lap. Softly and slowly his thumb moved in small soothing circles.

That's how they fell into a comfortable silence where they just enjoyed each other's silent company. The sounds of Brandon's soft breath seemed to soothe Madison's nerves a little. She was glancing out the window when a smirk formed on her lips.

"I know where we're going' she teased glancing over at him. From the signed and directions they were heading in it wasn't too difficult to figure it out. Brandon raised a curious eyebrow. "You are taking me to the zoo" she said.

Brandon chuckled a little and hung his head lower "was it that easy to guess?" he asked.

"No, but I used to love going to the zoo so I know my way to the zoo pretty easily".

"I'll know that for next time" he said pulling into the zoo parking lot. Considering it was the start of summer vacation it wasn't as busy as he expected it to be. He climbed out of the car and quickly rounded the car to open his wife's door. "My lady" he said smiling holding his hand out for her.

She happily took his hand and stepped out. "Oh I used to love the zoo growing up," she said.

"I never really got to come often" Brandon said "unless it was for school my family didn't have much time to bring me. They were always so busy with work". He said a little sadly.

Madison gave his arm a softly reassuring squeeze "well you can always make time to bring your own children here" she promised.

Without another word Brandon lead her towards the main gate and bought them their tickets. Entering the zoo he reached to grab a map but Madison pulled him away "part of having fun at the zoo is wondering around lost trying to find your way".

Reluctantly Brandon allowed himself to be pulled away from the maps and deeper into the zoo. "Hey I don't remember this" Brandon said watching the animal merry-go-round playing loud Disney songs.

"Yeah it got added a few years ago" Madison said glancing at him "want to go for a ride?" she asked a playful smile on her lips.

Brandon couldn't resist leaning down and planting a soft quick kiss. "Go get in line. I'll get the tickets" he didn't wait for an answer instead he headed to the ticket booth.

It wasn't long before the two of them were seated in one of the carriages with a jungle book theme painted on it. "The seat for lovers" Brandon said when they selected it.

It started to go around in slow circles as a song from Moana started to play. Brandon smirked and leaned into her ear and started to softly sing, "I see what's happing yeah. You're face to face with greatness and it's strange. I know it's a lot the hair, the bod!" he sang and took a pose.

Madison couldn't help but burst out laughing, "When I'm staring at a demigod". Neither one of them had much of a singing voice but that didn't stop them from dancing in their seat and singing at the top of their lungs.

"I could go on and on," Brandon said with a smirk.

"Oh no" Madison laughed and leaned against him. Her sides were starting to hurt by how much she was laughing. She couldn't remember the last time she let lose like this.

"I could explain every natural phenomenon. The grass, the sky, the clouds, oh that was me just messing around" he sang.

"That was so wrong" she pushed him playfully and the ride was slowing to an end.

"So what is a lesson and what is the take away. Don't mess with me when I'm on a break away!" he stood and held his hands over his head. "A map of the victories I win! Right here on tapestry of my skin! Look at mean little me tick and tock, tock, tock!"

The ride finally completely ended and Madison tugged Brandon away "I'm sailing away!" he called "you're welcome".

"And thank you" Madison just got out through her fit of laughter. Brandon wrapped his arm around her shoulder and walked side by side with her towards the African pavilion. "That was hilarious" Madison finally said after she was able to catch her breath.

"I can't remember the last time I had so much fun," Brandon answered with a warm smile. "Come on, lets see some animals," he said leading her towards the butterfly building. Together the couple walked through the tropical rain forest.

"Oh it's hot" Madison mumbled fanning herself.

"Yes you are" Brandon winked at her and watched as a colorful butterfly landed on the top of her head. He took out his phone and snapped a photo "now that is a keeper" he said.

The happy couple walked hand in hand through the remainder of the zoo. They saw the rhino's and the beavers. They took pictures with the penguins and the monkey's.

"A family of otters will actually float around holding each others paws in order to prevent each other from floating away and being alone" Madison said as they watched two otters slip and slide.

"Kind of like us eh?" Brandon said smiling at her "our family will never drift away because we will always be holding onto each other".

"That's right" Madison said softly "where to next? We haven't been to the artic circle yet".

"First we need to go to the Canadian domain," he insisted even after Madison said she didn't want to climb the big hill. "I'll carry you on my back if it gets too hard" he promised.

And so the two of them made their way down the hill to se the Canadian animals. He led her straight towards the sly red foxes.

"Foxes?" Madison asked confused "that is what you brought me here for?"

Brandon nodded and wrapped his arms around her from behind. He rested his chin gently on her shoulder. "Did you know that foxes are one of the few animals that will mate for life?"

Madison shook her head "I didn't know that".

"The male fox will continuously search for his vixen if they ever get separated and he won't stop until he finds her" he said softly.

"Wow" Madison said in awe "that's dedication".

"That is love my dear," he answers kissing her lightly on the cheek.

Madison and Brandon continued to stand there for several minutes watching as the two foxes played together. Madison had never paid much attention to the animal in the past. Of course she enjoyed its warm flame shade of fur but she hadn't focused on anything other then that.

To know how deep the male foxes love went astonished her. How could any animal love each other so much they would continuously fight and search for them? She hadn't realized it until now but her heart longed for that. It longed to have someone fight that hard to be with her.

"Come on my little vixen" Brandon said softly "lets head over to the artic circle now".

Madison was reluctantly to leave. But when the man bent down she climbed onto his back and allowed him to carry her up the hill. "Wait" Madison said finally realizing it "what did you call me?"

"I called you my vixen" Brandon said cheerfully "that's the term for a female fox, and since you are my mate it seemed fitting today".

Madison didn't reply with any words, instead she kissed the to of his head gently.

Once they reached the top Brandon set her down "okay how do we get to the artic?" he asked "other than taking a plane" he joked.

"But that is exactly how we get there" Madison replied.

"Excuse me?" Brandon asked raising an eyebrow.

"We look for the old biplane and take a left," Madison said with a shrug "it's very simple really".

Brandon's eyes widened a little as he followed after her "you mean to tell me that you have no idea how to get there other then to look for the plane?"

"No" Madison said giggling "you walk down the hill by the penguins and then find the plane".

"Oh silly me" Brandon said shaking his head "of course I knew that". He allowed his wife to lead him towards the penguins and down to the plane. He followed her and noticed that her eyes lit up where she saw the polar bears.

"My father used to bring me here all the time when I was a child" she said standing by the glass "we would watch them all day long". She giggled a little "but I never called them polar bears. They always looked like white fluffy snow drifts to me, so I would call them snow bears".

"Snow bears" Brandon said softly "I like it".

"We should get going" Madison said softly "it's getting late".

"You're right" Brandon said leading her towards the gift shop "we have more of our date left but first we have one final stop before we move on".

"The gift shop?" she asked looking around.

"Pick anything you want" he insisted. Slowly the two of them walked around the store. Madison eyed everything curiously before picking out a medium sized stuffed toy fox. She smiled and held it out to him. "This is perfect" Brandon said going to buy it for her.

"You sure you don't want a hamburger?" Brandon asked again as he eyed her two hot dogs. After their date at the zoo Brandon had taken her to the nearby Harvey's restaurant. It certainly wasn't as fancy as she had expected but she enjoyed it a lot more.

Madison laughed a took another bite of her hot dog "I am positive. I love hot dogs more than hamburgers," she informed him.

"And that is what make's you one strange girl" Brandon chuckled. Softly he reached out and tucked one of her stray pieces of hair behind her ear. "But you're my girl".

"Oh?" Madison leaded forward a little so that he could feel her breath against his skin "I thought I was your vixen".

Brandon chuckled "well now, you're that too" he leaned in and pressed his lips firmly but softly against hers.

Madison held the kiss for only a moment before she pulled away "you are trying to distract me from my food" she giggled grabbing a fry.

"You better save room for later" Brandon said finishing off his burger.

"Later?" Madison asked confused. They had already been to the zoo and had dinner together. What else was there to do? "Aren't we going home after this?"

"Actually I have one more surprise for you" Brandon said cleaning up the garbage. He held his arm out for her "now if you'll follow me".

"This better be good" Madison warned holding onto his arm. Although they had already done so much walking today Brandon still walked her across the street to the Cineplex.

"We are going to a movie?" Madison asked.

"Not just any movie" Brandon said nodding to the guy at the counter "we are going to see the original That Darn Cat". He glanced at the guy "can I get a large popcorn, two medium cola's and a package of fuzzy peaches".

"Oh I love movie popcorn," Madison mumbled.

"Make that two large popcorn," Brandon said flashing Madison a smile.

"How are we seeing that movie? It's from the sixties," she asked helping him to gather the items.

Brandon led her to the back theater and smiled "I know a guy. He got me the tape and I paid extra for them to show it tonight" he led her to a seat right in the middle "just for us".

Madison glanced around. He was right. No one was there but them. She smiled softly and settled into her seat "how did you know this was my favorite movie?" she asked taking a bit of the popcorn.

He blushed a little "I borrowed your phone yesterday and called your friend Brooklyn. She told me," Brandon answered.

"Hush" Madison said, "It's starting".

Brandon chuckled and sat in a comfortable silence watch the movie.

"I've always wanted a cat," Madison said in awe watching the cat on the screen "in act I would have three or more if I could".

"I wouldn't mind having a dog at some point" Brandon answered "but cats are good too, I'll keep that in mind".

"I think a pet might be a good idea" Madison added, "it might teach the kids to have some responsibility".

"Taking dogs for walks or cleaning a cats litter box," he agreed, "it really could teach them a lot".

"Maybe we could get them a pet for Christmas" she suggested.

Madison was surprised to find that she was willingly talking about the future with him. Even when she was engaged she rarely enjoyed talking about future plans. It can be so unpredictable and she didn't like getting her hopes up. But for whatever reason she enjoyed the idea of talking about a future with Brandon – even if it was just talking about getting a dog for Christmas.

Brandon being as cheesy as he was soon faked a yawn to stretch and wrap his arm around her shoulder.

Madison giggled and looked at him "did you really just do that?"

He nodded "yes ma'am I did".

She laughed even more but rested her head on his shoulder nonetheless "what are you in high school or something?"

"With you I feel like I am a childish school boy with a crush" Brandon said softly "sometimes you make me so nervous I don't know what to say around you".

Madison smiled and looked up at him with warm soft eyes, they looked as though they came from a deer "you don't have to say much around me". She rested her hand softly on his cheek and lifted her head up.

He smiled and leaned his head down. His lips pressed warmly against hers. It was a burning kiss but continued to remain soft and gentle. It felt as if you were going in to kiss an icy pole. You wanted to melt it but yet you were careful about being stuck. It was a moment of a give and take. As if they were testing the waters about how far to go.

Brandon reached over and gently tangled his fingers into her long locks. He held the kiss for several sweet moments, where they were moved and timed with each other.

Reluctantly they both pulled away from each other. Madison's face was bright red. It had been a very long time since she last kissed a man that way and she was worried that maybe she had gotten it wrong. But once she noticed the smile on his lips she realized she had done something right.

"You really are a vixen," he said with a wink.

"I had a really great time today" Madison said as they sat in front of the house still in the car. Night had fallen and the lights inside were off all expect the kitchen. If Madison knew Brooklyn the way she thought she did the young woman was in there with a cup of tea and a magazine.

"I did too" Brandon flashed her a smile. "I can't remember the last time I had that much fun".

"Neither can I?" she answered sorry to see the day come to an end.

"Maybe next weekend we can do it again?" Brandon asked. He really did feel like a boy back in high school setting a date with the girl he had a crush on.

"I would really like that" Madison said smiling.

"I guess we better head inside" Brandon said softly sad to see the night end.

"Yeah, better let Brooklyn go home" Madison said stepping out of the car and following him to the door.

"We're home," Brandon said softly as they entered the house. No kids were in sight, which meant luckily Brooklyn got them down to bed.

The devil herself walked into the hall smiling "welcome home love birds" she said with a wink towards Madison. "How did it go?"

"I'm going to check on the kids," Brandon said.

"I'll be there in a minute," Madison answered. She glanced at her friend once he was out of view and smiled "it was so amazing. He took me to the zoo and then to watch a movie. And he bought me a stuffed fox" she said holding out the toy.

Brooklyn laughed a little "sounds like you had a lot of fun". She eyed the staircase curiously "but is the fun going to end there?"

Madison blushed and looked down. The thought had crossed her mind. She didn't always like to admit it but she was a woman with needs. A man since hadn't touched her before the twins were born and the thought of the passion intrigued her.

Her friend smirked a little "there's my answer" she said knowingly. "You best not leave him waiting" she winked "I'll stop by in a few days for tea and you can tell me everything".

She nodded and headed up stairs where Brandon was waiting for her. He was seated on the bed and glanced her way when she entered the room. A small smirk danced on his lips in a silent understanding to what was about to happen. He held his arms out for her.

She silently crossed the room and lowered herself onto his lap. Madison thought back to the kisses they had shared earlier. She wished she could say the kiss meant nothing, she wished she could say she had better – but that would make her a liar. In truth this was the greatest kiss she ever had.

Brandon's mouth covered hers in a hungry kiss. Surprising even herself Madison kissed back immediately, her lips pressed against his in a passionate lock. But quickly he softened the kiss; instead he kissed her gently and carefully. His mouth was warm and strong against hers. He tasted her lips tentatively, running the tip of his tongue along her mouth wanting in. With a low moan Madison opened her mouth giving him entrance.

Brandon's tongue slipped inside her mouth, gentle but at the same time was demanding. Their tongues met each other, pushing against and dancing together. He was being gentle, almost a little too gentle for Madison. She wanted more then this. She knotted her fists in his shirt and pulled him closer to her, deepening the kiss.

Brandon pulled back only for a moment to allow Madison's dress to be slipped off over her hand and get tossed to the floor. He then lay back onto the bed and pulled her with him.

A soft low groan came up from his throat once their lips reconnected. He circled his arms around her, locking her into his chest. Gathering her against him they flipped over on the bed so Madison was resting on her back and Brandon was saddled over her.

Their tongues continued to tangle together in what felt like a fight but moved like a dance. Each one was predicting the other person's movements, what started off as two people turned into one. It was as if their bodies had dissolved into each other, their movements mimicking like a mirror.

Madison's body ached for him; she ached to touch him and to have him return the favor. She longed to run her hands though his chocolate hair and feel his hard chest against hers. She wanted it – no – she needed it.

But her longing didn't last, for soon it became a reality. Brandon's hands moved knowingly and confidently down her side, trailing across the bare skin of her stomach and waist. He rubbed his thumb gently, almost teasingly across her hips. Brandon's hands slowly moved up his chest, feeling his hard chest beneath them. Her finger tips brushing against each ab. She ran the palm of her hand along his neck, feeling his pulse quicken. Her fingers then tangled in his soft, smooth hair. Her nimble fingers worked their way through and with each tug a low groan rumbled from his throat.

She couldn't resist the feeling she was experiencing. Tender and soft in certain places, hard and demanding in others, but despite it all her whole body longed for his, demanded for his, cried out for his.

But nearly as quickly as it started it ended with a soft knock on the door.

Madison panted a little and pulled away from the kiss. "It's Ella," she said softly already knowing that her little girl must have had a nightmare and came looking for comfort.

"You get her settled in bed and I'll get changed" Madison said slipping out of bed.

And just like that their moment was over for by the time she returned the little blonde girl was snuggled in the middle of her parent's bed. She knew Brandon would have a hard time resisting Ella's puppy dog eyes and then he would give in allowing her to cuddle with them that night.

'Sorry' he mouthed to his wife when he saw her.

Madison smiled and waved it off a little. Crawling into bed and tugged the covers around her daughter and thought for a minute. Maybe this was a sign that she was moving too fast with Brandon. She needed to respect his boundaries and remember that they weren't really married. In fact if it had been for the amazing date this never would have been a possibility.
From now on she needed to remember her proper place.