"It has certainly been a long time since we've had one of these nights" Brooklyn walked to the kitchen table in her small apartment holding her finest china.

Over the years that Madison and Brooklyn had been friends every couple months Hunter would take all the kids out to a cheap moving for an evening. This gave the two moms some much needed alone time together. They would make some kind of 'fancy' food and have a bottle of wine. Then they would sit together at the table with candles and have a nice dinner followed by a romantic movie of their own.

"Yeah it has" Madison said almost sadly. She was disappointed in herself for not giving her old friend al the time she deserved. They used to see each other every day, both at work and at home, but now they were lucky to see each other every couple weeks.

"This night will make up for all those times we have missed" Brooklyn said setting the tray of food on the table "so how has it been going at home?"

Madison sighed a little "Emma seems to have her attitude still and I can't seem to understand why. When we first moved in with Brandon she was so happy and content with life. Even when school first started, she seemed to be adjusting well. But now... it's like she snapped".

Brooklyn entered teacher mode with a frown on her face "how are the other students treating her?"

"She seemed to have a lot of friends when we saw her in class" she gave a little shrug "but it was majority boys. Maybe the girls haven't been treating her well".

"That could be it. What about Ella? Are they still close?"

"At home yeah but I'm not sure in school. Ella seems to have finally found a group of girls she likes to hang out with" Madison said.

Brooklyn nodded and thought for a moment "Emma could be jealous that her sister is popular now. Usually Emma had all the friends".

"That is true I guess. Maybe she isn't adjusting well to the new school," Madison thought for a moment. Brandon said the same thing but Madison had a feeling that it wasn't just school. She felt like there was more to it.

Her friend flashed her a reassuring smile grabbing two wine glasses and setting them on the table. She reached to grab the red wine her husband had selected for the night.

"Oh none for me thanks" Madison said raising her hands.

"Wait, what?" Brooklyn was taken back that she almost forgot that she was holding the bottle as it nearly slipped from her hands.

Madison realized how suspicious that was. They two woman always had at least one drink together and now she was suddenly turning it down?

Brooklyn raised a curious eyebrow and slowly took a seat at the table across from Madison. She paused for a moment, watching the other woman in suspense before she leaned in a little closer as if they were about to share a secret. "And why dear lady do you not want any wine? In all the years I've known you I don't think you've ever turned down a free drink unless you were expecting a baby".

Madison looked away and gave a small little shrug "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just not thirsty today".

"Oh so you aren't pregnant with Brandon's baby?" Brooklyn asked. But before Madison could even answer she added "and remember you have never kept a secret from me before so don't be starting that now".

She sighed a little and looked down. Her friend had always been there for her ever since she had left Alex, and she really was her biggest support system. If she were there for her before then why would that change now? With or without a man she was still her best friend. "You're right," she whispered.

Brooklyn's eyes widened and she leaned forward a little more "you're having a baby?"

Madison nodded "yeah I am".

"Oh my god!" Brooklyn's face broke into a smile "you're having a baby!"

She blushed a little and laughed awkwardly "yeah I am".

"Brandon's baby" Brooklyn beamed "has you told him yet?"

"Well no. I mean I wasn't sure if I should or not".

"And why ever not?" her friend asked in confusion.

"He and I aren't actually married and he doesn't actually know the truth about us," Madison said as if it was the most obvious thing ever. "Every memory he has is fake and made up. When it comes down to it he doesn't actually love me in any form of way".

Brooklyn shook her head in disappointment "that is where you are wrong dear. You say all his memories are fake, but that's not true. For the last four months the two of you have been making your very own memories".

"What do you mean?" Madison asked.

"I mean that don't you have those memories of going to the zoo? Pizza nights with the kids? Halloween? Those are all memories the two of you have made together recently" Brooklyn smiled "those aren't fake. You and Brandon have made each of them together".

"Yeah but we don't have love" Madison mumbled.

"Are you kidding?" Brooklyn gasped, "of course you two have love. You have so much love. Look at how long you've been together".

"But he think's I'm first wife".

"Yeah but you don't have the same personality as her. He might have realized as the months pasted that there were things that he no longer loved about you. He could have decided to leave. But he didn't. That means to me that he is still deeply in love with you".

Madison gave a small shrug unable to say anything else.

"And you love him" Brook said "that counts for more then you think". Her friend reached across the table and grabbed hold of the other woman's hand. She smiled reassuringly.

"I do love him" Maddie whispered barely hearable.

"I know dear," Brooklyn answered softly "and there is nothing wrong with that sweetie. You are allowed to love and be loved in return".

Weakly Madison shook her head no "love is always taken from me".

"Losing a fiancé is hard, but it wasn't true love. What you and Brandon have is special. Just because Alexander hurt you in the past that doesn't mean you need to spend the rest of your life in fear of ever loving again. Not all men are going to leave you the way he did".

Madison was at a loss of words. She knew in her heart that Brooklyn was right but in her head she kept trying to reason against the logic. She had been hurt more than once. Alex of course wasn't the only one who hurt her. She had other relationships that failed just as much as Alex did. There was the countless high school boyfriend that either dated her as a joke or tried to get sex out her. And of course her boyfriend from grade twelve that left her at prom.

"What do you think it'll be?" Brooklyn asked trying to lighten the mood a little. She reached across the table and started to serve out the cheesy Italian lasagna they had put together.

"Thanks" Madison's mouth nearly watered when she smelled the cheesy goodness. After she took a big bite of the food she glanced at her friend "I don't know. And I don't really care either way as long as the baby is healthy and happy".

"We can go shopping for new clothes" Brooklyn said with a smile "you'll need new ones soon and why not make a girls day out of it?"

Madison laughed a little "I don't think I'll need anything new just yet. I mean I'm only just three months along".

"Way to crush a girls dream," Brooklyn laughed too.

"We will go shopping when I need the new clothes I promise".

The two girls had the time of their lives that evening. They sat around together talking about mindless things and watched an old romantic comedy. The two friends laughed together as they cuddled on the couch.

Madison was having so much fun she hadn't even noticed her phone light up at first. She had let it go without a second thought. It wasn't until Brooklyn leaned forward and glanced at the screen did Madison pay attention.

"Why is a blocked number messaging you?" Brook questioned. She could only see a glance at the message before Madison snatched the phone away.

"It's nothing," Madison said a little too quickly.

Brooklyn frowned and crossed her arms over her chest "Madison what's this about" she demanded. Madison kept her mouth firmly shut at first not wanting to reveal the answer. "Is this about the baby?" Brooklyn pressed for more.

"Of course not!" Madison gasped.

"Then what is it? No secrets remember?"

Madison sighed a little and looked down. This was worse than having to tell her the truth about the baby. "It's nothing I can't handle really. I mean it hasn't been too bad. Just a few messages her or there" she insisted.

"Messages about what?" Brooklyn asked.

"Threating to tell the truth to Brandon unless I pay this person half a million dollars".

Brooklyn gasped "are you serious? Madison this isn't something you should take lightly. Have them been saying anything else?"

"They sent me photos of Brandon and I on Halloween night. It was of us kissing in the street but I didn't notice anything strange when I looked around".

"You mean to say they're following you?" Brook gasped her eyes wide with concern "Madison have you called the police?" she asked franticly.

"I can't call them. They would interview me and then the Haywood's would find out. And what if the black mailer knew? Then they would be sure to tell Brandon. They have his number. I saw it before" Madison argued. Her breathing became faster and shallow.

"Well you have to tell the Haywood's. They would need to know and maybe they can do something to make it stop. They might have somebody who wants to take the family down".

"I don't think the blackmailing is intended to hurt them. Its meant for me" Madison said softly.

"How do you know?" Brooklyn asked curiously.

"I have a feeling it's Alexander," she whispered.

"Alex?" Brooklyn said in confusion "you're ex? Why would it be him? You haven't had any contact with him since before the twins were born".

"I know but it seems strange that first Kennedy comes back into my life and then all of a sudden I got messages asking for money?" Madison said "and here's the main thing. On Noah's birthday there was a book left of the porch. It was an old Franklin one that Alex got him when Noah was little. Only Alex would have that book".

Brooklyn bit her lip a little "and you haven't told anyone until now?"

Madison shook her head "no I haven't. I didn't trust anyone to know".

"You have to tell the Haywood's" Brooklyn continued even through Madison opened her mouth to say something "I know you don't want to but listen. They are your family and not everyone will be like your parents and leave you in a time for need. They could pay him off or get someone to track him down. I think you'll be surprised by what they can do. You need to tell them everything. Including the baby".

"I just don't know" Madison said with a soft sigh "what if they think I got pregnant on purpose? They might think I want money for child support if Brandon does leave me. And what if they think I'm the blackmailer in order to get more money out of them?"

"That's a lot of what ifs" Brooklyn said with a soft smile "what if they are happy to have a grandchild on the way? What if they are willing to pay the money? You'll never know for sure unless you talk to them about it".

Madison sighed a little. She knew she wasn't going to win this one. When Brooklyn insisted on something she wasn't one to let it go until she got what she wanted. "Okay" Madison said softly. "I'll go visit the Haywood's tomorrow and see what they say".

"Now that's my girl" Brooklyn smiled approvingly.

The next day when the kids had been taken to school and Brandon had left for work Madison got in her car and headed towards the Haywood's house. She could do this. She had to do this. She talked to herself the whole way there trying to talk herself into it and convince herself she was able to open up to them.

Slowly she walked up the long path towards the large double doors. She gave it a soft knock – hoping no one would hear it and she could leave. But Rebecca soon appeared at the door way and tugged it open "oh hey there Madison. What a pleasant surprise" she opened the door wider and waved her in "please come in. I'll make us some tea".

"That sounds good but I needed to talk to you and John about something" Madison said softly "if that's alright with you".

Rebecca looked at her confused "well of course dear. Let us join John in his office". The older woman guided her through the long hallways. Madison may have been there once or twice but she only really knew the living room and the kitchen. She had never ventured through the rest of the large house.

It certainly was beautiful. Although it was elegant and clean cut it didn't look much like a place that once raised a child. There were paintings on the wall that looked like originals and the white rug looked as though no one even walked on it. Finally they entered the office that was lined with bookshelves and have a large wooden carved desk with two over stuffed velvet chairs.

"Jonathan" Rebecca said with a smile. She crossed the room and took a seat in one of the chairs across from his at his desk "look who came to visit us".

"Just let me finish this memo" John looked up from his computer after a few moments of typing "oh Madison. We weren't expecting you today".

"I know and if this is a really big inconvenience then I can come back another day," Madison said softly. She took a few steps forward and took a seat in the over stuffed chair.

"You are always welcome here Madison" Rebecca said softly "you're family".

John nodded – but Madison wasn't sure how much he really agreed with what his wife said – "what can we do for you today?"

"Well you see" Madison twisted her hands around in her lap "I debated telling you this for a long time now cause I wasn't really sure if there was ever going to be a right time but I guess now is as good as any. And I didn't mean to keep it a secret and I don't want to upset you but I thought it was for the best. But it seems now I have no choice to tell you but I hope it just isn't too late". She rambled on, as she tended to do when she got nervous.

Rebecca reached out and took hold of the younger woman's hand "dear it's alright. Slow down and start at the beginning".

Madison took a deep breath and nodded "I guess I should just come right out and say it".

"That might be best" Jonathan said. His voice wasn't as business toned as it had been before. Instead it had softened and sounded more fatherly.

"I swear I didn't mean for it to happen" Madison took another breath before adding; "I'm pregnant with Brandon's baby".

"You're having a baby?" the two Haywood's said in sync with each other.

"I'm going to be a grandmother?" Rebecca said in awe. "Not that I wasn't already a grandmother to Emma, Ella and Noah. I love those dear children. But this is to a baby. I get to watch them grow up from birth". Her eyes watered over with tears "oh my dear. When Madelyn died during that car accident with her unborn son I never thought we would get this chance again. Brandon withdrew so much from society he never showed interest in loving another woman, much less having another baby. But here you are carrying his child". She dabbed at her eyes with her shirtsleeve.

Rebecca may have been crying tears of joy but John sat there looking angry if anything. "What kind of a joke is this? We didn't give you enough money before so you wanted to get knocked up? What you think we will pay you off more? Well you can think again. That child will be Brandon's and when he gets his memory back we will fight for full custody".

"Jonathan Larry Haywood!" Rebecca gasped in full shock "how dare you say such a thing. Madison made it known she didn't do it on purpose; these things can be an accident. A happy accident of course". Rebecca wrapped a reassuring arm around Madison's shoulder "and furthermore it was you who insisted she sign a contract to act as Brandon's wife. If she had denied him sleeping together he would have thought something was wrong. And she would break her contract with us. We set her up to fail".

"She didn't need to get pregnant" John insisted.

"But look at what it did. We are going to have a grandchild because of it dear. A little boy or girl for us to spoil. And think about what good it'll do for Brandon. He was such a broken shell after his unborn child died. This will open his heart even more now," Rebecca argued against her husband.

Madison sat there in silence. She wasn't sure what there was for her to say. This was her biggest fear that they would think she did it to get something out of them. Absent-mindedly her hand rested on the small bump under her shirt. She couldn't make eye contact with them as they continued to argue back and forth.

"This baby is a blessing for us all and I am damn sure excited to be with Madison every step of the way" Rebecca insisted. "Even if they don't stay together this baby is our grandchild and I will be there for Madison".

Finally John noticed the determination in his wife's voice and he backed down in defeat.

"Apologize" Rebecca insisted.

"I'm sorry Madison. I never should have spoken ill about you or your unborn child. Please forgive me".

Madison nodded her head "you're forgiven. But this isn't all". Madison removed her phone and slides it across the desk for John to read the messages. "Ever since I moved in with Brandon I've been getting these messages from an unknown number demanding money".

"Have you answered any of them?" John asked glancing them over.

"I tried asking who it was but they just demanded more money" Madison said softly "that's not all. They were sending me photos of Brandon and I in front of the house. And I've noticed a silver Mazda out front more than once".

Rebecca looked at her daughter in law in concern "oh darling you should have told us you were being blackmailed before".

Madison shrugged a little "I got scared. I didn't want to make it worse".

"I'll get a lawyer started on this right away" John said sliding the phone back to her and started to work on his computer again "see if I can get a private detective to look into finding this guy".

"I think it might be my ex" Madison said softly "the kids birth father. I was going to marry him years ago but when I got pregnant with the twins I found him cheating on me. I never saw again after that".

"Why do you think it would be him?" Rebecca asked confused.

"A book was sent to the house on Noah's birthday. Only his father would have access to it. It was to be him," Madison said.

"We will look into it. It could be two separate things but we will check" John said with a reassuring nod "what is your ex's name?"

"Alexander Morgan" Madison said.

John nodded "alright I will look into it".

"In the mean time" Rebecca said smiling as she started to guide Madison out of the office. "You and I are going to have some tea and talk about this baby on the way. We have a lot to plan my dear'.