Madison had spent the majority of the morning at home in her bed. After the long night she and the children had they were all in need of some rest. She hadn't climbed out of bed until well after lunch, and she wouldn't have done so if there hadn't been a knock on her door. "Coming" she called as she tugged an old beaten up sweater on.

She wasn't sure whom she was expecting to find behind the door, maybe Brooklyn or even the little old lady across the hall in need of more sugar. But either way she certainly was no expecting to find the Haywood's.

"Is something wrong?" she asked eyeing them confused. First what where they doing at her house? And second how did they even get her address to come to her house?

"We wanted to apologize for the way we acted earlier," Rebecca said. She glanced at her husband and tapped him on his arm "isn't that right dear?" his only response was a nod of agreement. "We acted so harsh towards you, but we realize now that the situation must have been hard on you too".

Madison stood in her doorway stunned. How was this the same couple she had seen earlier at the hospital? She opened the door wider to let them in "please come in".

The Haywood's walked inside and followed her towards her small kitchen space. "Can I get anyone something to eat or drink? Tea or coffee maybe?"

Rebecca took a seat at the table but her husband remained standing in the doorway. "I am fine dear" she smiled sweetly – almost too sweetly.

"Is there something I can do for you both?" Madison asked trying to sound strong and hide the crack in her voice. She took the seat across from Rebecca and watched as the two of them shifted almost nervously.

"Well now yes I guess there is something you can do," Rebecca said softly. "Not so much for us but more of something you can do for Brandon".

"What is it?" Madison asked confused more than ever now.

"We would like for you to pretend to be Brandon's wife. Play along with him over the next few days until he can get his memory back" Rebecca said.

Madison was stunned "I don't think that is going to work. I have children to worry about and this is my home. I don't see how any of that can work".

"We called in few favors today and learnt a little about you" Jonathan said walking towards the table. Madison looked as though she was going to say something but he raised his hand to silence her. "We had an investigator do a quick search on you. We know that your family is in debt and we know that you wish to be an author. Several of your books have been denied in the past".

"I don't see how any of that is your business" Madison said softly, stunned at everything that was said to her.

"I am making it my business" John said taking a seat "we are prepared to pay off your debts and we offer you three hundred thousand dollars plus we with publish one of your books".

Madison gasped, that was a lot of money. That money could really benefit her family. With her debts paid off maybe she could finally buy her family a bigger house in a better location. "Well I'm not sure".

"You cant seriously consider turning this offer down?" Jonathan said briskly.

"I have my kids to worry about" Madison said "if Brandon believes he is their father than I need to make my children believe that they are his daddy. And that isn't fair to my little girls. They don't deserve a half way daddy. What they really need is a full time one".

"Yes but dear isn't it better that they experience what having a daddy is like at least once" Rebecca countered "feel the love of a man, see how a husband is mean to treat his wife. It'll set a good example for those little girls of yours".

"I guess that's true" Madison said with a small shrug. She still wasn't so sure about it. This would take her whole family dynamic on a turn.

"What about your son" Jonathan said, "All boys need a strong male role model. Your son is at that age where is he starting to become a man. Brandon could be just the right person to teach him. Considering what we saw when we searched your family, your son could do with the help".

"What is that suppose to mean?" Madison asked her voice rising a little.

"You haven't seen it?" the man chuckled a little and tugged his fancy silver laptop out of his leather bag. He opened his computer and started a video.

Madison gasped as she watched a video of her son falling off the stage. There was kissing noises and bright red lips appearing across the screen. The jokes were made and everyone laughed. "The comments are worse" John scrolled through the comments t show the rude and mean comments.

Now she knew what he son was so focused on yesterday. He must have been reading all the messages that everyone was saying. No wonder he was so of last night. This must have crushed him.

"I think at a time like this a boy needs a male to show him the way. It'll give him a good support system," Jonathan added.

She couldn't deny it. After seeing the bullying that was taking place she couldn't deny that it might be a good idea to have someone teach Brandon the way.

"Well what would I have to do?" she asked softly, she was starting to retreat.

"We would want you to move in with Brandon until his memory can return. We don't think it'll take longer than the summer. You'll move in and act as his wife. Cooking, raising children, cleaning, those kinds of things. You'll have to attend all public meetings and gatherings." Jonathan tugged a booklet of papers out of his bag and slid it over to her "this is a contract we need you to sign. You will be in every possible way his wife. Whatever he needs you will provide for him".

Madison grabbed the file and started to go through it "I really should have a lawyer read over this before I sign everything".

"We don't have any time. His doctor says he can come home on Monday, and today is Saturday. We need to move fast," Rebecca said.

Madison started to think about what this would mean for Brandon. Her mind went back to the conversation she heard him have with his buddy. She thought about how lonely and isolated he sounded. How without his wife he had nobody but himself. No one should ever have to be completely alone. Maybe going through with this wont just help her family, it might just benefit Brandon too. Without another thought she grabbed the pen and quickly signed her name. That was it. Everything was final now.

"Alright" Jonathan took the file away "now that is final maybe we should make some plans".

"What do you mean?" Madison asked confused.

"Well there are a few things we need to settle first" Rebecca said, "We have to arrange for a time for you to move in tomorrow".

"Tomorrow? Isn't that a little too soon?" she asked biting her bottom lip.

"We don't have a choice. We want to give you one day there until he arrives the next morning" Rebecca said, "It'll be better to tare the bandage off quickly".

"I understand" Madison said with a small sigh. This is what needed to happen.

"We will be by first thing tomorrow morning to come and get you all" Rebecca stood "it might be a good idea to talk to your children before then". The couple gave a final nod and excused themselves.

The door had barely closed when Noah stepped into the hallway "mom" he hissed a little "I can not believe you actually took that deal".

"Noah" Madison was stunned, she didn't know he was listening in. "what did you hear?" she asked nervously.

"All of it" Noah walked towards her "you actually agreed to it. You agreed to be his wife!"

"Not really. I will only act as his wife" Madison said walking back to the kitchen to get things cleaned and have dinner started soon.

"Mom comes on. You can't be serious" Noah argued.

"I wish I wasn't Noah, but it am. We need this. I don't want to admit it but we need it. I know I've tried to protect you but the reality of it is that I can't make payments anymore. I am so deep in debts I'm afraid that if we don't sell then the bank will foreclose on the apartment".

"Mom..." Noah trailed off "that cant is right. We cant be that bad off".

"But I am afraid we are Noah" Madison said. She hated to admit it but the truth was this deal came at the time she needed it most. She wasn't going to be able to pay to live in their house for another month.

"What's going on?" Emma walked into the kitchen rubbing her eyes, Ella following close behind her.

Madison took a deep breath; it was better to rip the bandage off just as Rebecca said. "I need to talk to you girls," she said sitting at the table across from the two girls. "Do you remember the man we helped out yesterday?"

"In the hospital?" Emma asked and Ella nodded her head in agreement.

"Yes that's the right one" Madison took hold of their hands and smiled softly. She knew she was dancing with fire here, but she thought this might be the best way around it. "That man is your daddy".

"Our daddy?" Emma asked surprised.

Ella gasped a little "daddy?"

Madison nodded a little. When she had become pregnant with the twin girls her fiancé had decided he no longer found her attractive. He was quick to cheat on her with her childhood best friend. She always suspected that he was cheating but she never would have thought it was with her best friend. When she walked in on them together one day she gathered her things and left him. Even after the girls were born Alexander Morgan never made an effort to come find her. As a result her baby girls never once met their father. But it seemed as thought maybe it'll work in her favor this time. It was too hard to get them to lie, but making them believes he was their real daddy – now that was a piece of cake.

"Yes darlings" Madison said forcing a smile.

"We have a daddy" Emma beamed at Ella "did you hear that Ella? We have a daddy!"

Ella smiled wide and glanced at her mother "mommy, when can we see daddy again?"

"Well sweetheart that is the thing, you see your daddy wants us to move in with him" Madison said, "He wants us to be one big happy family together".

"Really?" Ella asked her face brightening even more.

"Yes. Tomorrow we are moving into his house and he will come home the next day" she tried to make things as light and easy as possible.

Both girls beamed and climbed off the chairs "we need to go get our toys!" they said at the same time. Together they rushed away chatting about how they are going to have tea parties and dress up with their new daddy.

"I really don't think this is a good idea," Brooklyn said as she taped up a box of the kid's toys. First thing Sunday morning Madison called her friend over to assist her the packing of her items. She had just finished explaining to her about the deal she made with the Haywood's.

"I know but I don't see what choice I have" Madison said, "I need the money".

"Hunter and I could lend you some" Brooklyn tried to argue, but both woman knew that Brooklyn didn't have the money to spare. She needed it to pay for her own family and housing.

"I know you would but I couldn't ask that of you" she said, "I needed to solve this trouble on my own. And I think I fixed things. At least for a little".

"You have other options dear" Brooklyn took hold of her hand softly.

"My only other options are to get another loan I cant pay off or contact my parents, which wont happen" Madison said "I am trying to fix this the way I know how. I know that this is silly. But I think I can finally have control over something that relates to money. I know you might not understand. But this gives me control over my life."

Brooklyn nodded and let it go. It was easy to see in her eyes that she had more to say but she bit her tongue nonetheless about it. "When are the Haywood's arriving?" she asked.

Just then the doorbell rang and Madison glanced at the clock "that'll be them now" she crossed the room and opened the door. "Mr. and Mrs. Haywood, come in. this is my friend Brooklyn she has been assisting me with my packing".

Jonathan and Rebecca nodded a hello towards Brooklyn. "You don't need to pack all this" Rebecca said glancing at the boxes. "We have a full furnished house for you to move into".

"I still need clothing and the kids toys" Madison said "besides the items I do have will need to go into storage somewhere".

"And that is why we brought movers with us" Jonathan stepped aside to let about half a dozen movers into her small apartment. She want sure how she felt about the idea of a bunch of random strangers packing all her things up, but truth be told she and Brooklyn would never be able to finish in one day. "They will take everything to a storage locker".

"We arranged for all new clothing to be in your closets at the new house," Rebecca said smiling at Madison.

"But I don't need new clothes" Madison argued.

"Yes you do" Brooklyn and Rebecca said at the same time.

"You have had those old rags since before the girls were born. Its time for a change" Brooklyn added.

"And you will be the wife of a millionaire. You need to look the part," Rebecca said.

Madison sighed in defeat but gave in. they were right. She was in need of some new clothes. "Kids! Can you please come here" she called to her children.

Emma and Ella came running but Noah trailed behind them.

"Girls" Madison kneeled down to her daughters height "I would like you to meet your grandparents, Rebecca and Jonathan Haywood'.

"Grandma" Ella said softly.

"Grandpa" Emma beamed.

Rebecca seemed happy by the term but John scowled "you can call me John. I don't believe in silly pet names".

"Maybe Mr. and Mrs. Haywood would be more fitting" Noah said with a small smirk on his mouth.

John turned his attention to the young boy "I'm afraid that if you call us that then your mother would be in a breach of contract and she lose everything. So I suggest you do as we asked". There was clearly no playing around with the Haywood's.

"Well, anyways we are ready to go" Madison said trying to change the subject.

"Excellent" Rebecca smiled "those boxes will be dropped off this evening. We want to show you the house".

Madison turned to Brooklyn and gave her friend a hug "I'll see you soon" she said softly holding on tightly to her.

"I'm just a call away," Brooklyn said giving her a squeeze "I always got your back girl".

Madison smiled and pulled away. She took hold of her daughter's hands and together the family walked downstairs to the awaiting car.

"Oh my goodness" Madison gasped watching out the window as the car rounded into the driveway of what she would consider a mansion.

"Welcome home" Rebecca said with a smile "Brandon bought this house fifteen years ago for his first wife, but when she passed away he could never bring himself to come back here for more than a weekend."

"How did his first wife die?" Maddie asked softly.

"Car accident. Very similar to the one Brandon was in the other day. She was eight months pregnant with their son, neither of them made it. Brandon was devastated. He hasn't been the same since" Rebecca answered softly.

The car pulled to a stop and Madison was able to get a better view of the house. It was a large three floor house in the shape of a L. it was made with a caramel coloured stone and had a matching shade of wooden porch. There was a large bay window that must be part of the living room. It was certainly well taken care of, with a new driveway and flowerbeds under every windowsill.

"Its beautiful" Madison gasped stepping out of the car.

"We have been busy trying to get it ready for you three" Rebecca said "as I said he hasn't lived here in a while, so it got a little run down inside".

"But we had contractors working for twenty-four hours straight" Jonathan said, "every room has a new coat of paint. The majority of the furniture is the same, but we have several electronic appliance updates in the kitchen and living room. Of course the children's rooms are all brand new as well".

"Of course" Madison nodded, but she was still so focused on how beautiful the house truly was.

Rebecca walked her to the door "there is a large kitchen and an even larger dinning room that can sit a dozen or more guests. There is a family room and a den that also acts as an office. In the back there is a sun room that is perfection in the spring and summer seasons".

Madison glanced at the woman "it all sounds nice, but maybe I can see it instead of just hear about it?"

"Of course" Rebecca laughed and unlocked the front door.

The large front hall was complete with chestnut hardwood flooring and cream-coloured walls. There was a winding staircase that must have lead to the second floor. To the left of Madison was beautiful light shade of blue sitting room, with the bay window acting as a perfect reading area. The natural light made it seem so welcoming and loving. There was a TV hanging over the fireplace and a large L shaped, pale yellow couch. The yellow sofa and blue with white pillows accented the walls perfectly.

The den to the right of her was darker, with a cherry shade of red and chocolate wooden floors. There was a mahogany desk with matching chair and two over stuffed leather chairs in a corner with a bookshelf.

"It's beautiful" Madison said, "Brandon's wife had good taste".

"This wasn't Madelyn" Rebecca said with a sigh "it was Brandon. He made the whole house perfect and gave it to her as a wedding gift".

"It really is lovely" Madison said, "He put a lot effort and love into this".

"It's a shame it has been empty for so long" Rebecca forced a smile towards the younger woman. "Anyways Brandon is being brought over first thing tomorrow morning just after breakfast. I have left a file in the kitchen; it just covers basic information about him. Things he likes, doesn't like, his sec dual, allergies. I thought it might be best if you were aware of these things".

"Yes I will look over it before tomorrow" Madison said with a nod.

"We will be going now" John said firmly "see you later". He guided his reluctant wife away from the house.

"Mommy" Emma tugged on her mother's sleeve "can we see our rooms now?"

Madison laughed a little at the overly excited little girl "yes I think that'll be a great idea. Lets go see your new rooms".

Photo: Noah