"Happy birthday Noah!" Emma jumped into Noah's arms when he entered the backyard the afternoon of his birthday. The entire Haywood family was out back trying to get everything set up in time for Noah's party.

"Hey thanks little sis" Noah laughed and ruffled her hair. "You did all this?" he asked glancing at his parents. The whole backyard was done up as party central. A large tent was pitched in the far back and Brandon had prepared a fire pit in the middle of the yard for hen it got dark. There was a large projection screen against the wall and Christmas lights dangling from tree to tree. It was a teenage party dream. The only thing missing was music.

"And we have a whole snack table of chips and candy set up for later" Madison said laying a tablecloth across the picnic table. "And your dad is going to BBQ for dinner".

"Thank mom" Noah said looking around "this is so cool".

"Glad you like it" Brandon walked over with his buddy Matt following behind him. "You guys remember Matt right?" he said pointing to his friend.

"It's great to see you again" Madison said smiling towards Matt "come to lend a hand?"

Matt chuckled a little and held up a large bag "DJ reporting for duty".

"You're a DJ?" Noah said heading over. In his teenage eyes you couldn't be any cooler than a DJ.

Brandon laughed and patted Matt on the shoulder "he was the best DJ in our sorority, he would do the music for all our parties".

"You were in a sorority?" Noah asked looking at his dad stunned. No kid could ever imagine his or her parents being cool.

"That's how Brandon and I met" Matt said chuckling "he was my big, and let me tell you he was the coolest big there was. Everyone wanted him as their big brother".

"Really?" Noah was stunned even more now.

"Maybe one day you'll follow in my footsteps" Brandon said with a small chuckle. He reached out and ruffled his hair.

"Noah come play with us!" Ella called out. The two girls were dancing together under the lights and their giggling filled the air like music.

"Looks like your being called" Brandon chuckled and shooed his son away. He laughed a little more and headed to Madison at the treat table "he is becoming a man".

"He certainly is" Madison said watching her son interact with her little girls. "But the main question is" she turned back to Brandon "are you ready to have three more teenage boy and two teenage girls hanging out in our backyard?"

Brandon chuckled "oh young one, you have a lot to learn. Of course I am ready".

Madison laughed a little "you are the one who has a lot to learn".

"Ah yes the teacher would know all" Brandon said playfully.

"Mothers know all" Madison corrected just as the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it!" Noah called rushing away from the girls and heading to the front door to answer it.

"Looks like it's party time' Brandon said smiling.

One by one Noah's friends started to arrive with their swim suits in hand. It had been agreed that they would spend the afternoon swimming in the poll then have a sleepover.

Madison sat on the sidelines watching her son interact with his friends. He was busy in the pool with three of his friend off his new baseball team and Anna from next door. Brooklyn was even able to make it out with her daughter Carson.

"Hey there" Brooklyn said taking a seat next to Madison "how you doing".

She sighed a little "I never thought he would grow so fast. I can still remember the day I gave birth to him".

"Okay no gross birth stories please" Isabelle said walking over with a plate of nacho chips "I'm eating here".

Brooklyn laughed and reached over to take some chips from her "child birth is magical".

"Yeah keep telling yourself that" Isabelle mumbled, "there is nothing magical about taking a crap all over the table".

The three women laughed a little and caught Brandon's attention. He crossed the yard and smiled down at them "what's all the laughing about?" he asked curiously.

"A load of crap" Brooklyn answered with another laugh.

Madison shook her head at the two woman "child birth" she said smiling up at him.

"Hmm well no matter what happens in child birth I would still be they're holding your hand" Brandon said as he leaned down for a soft kiss.

Madison reached her hand up and held onto his cheek. The kiss held for a few more minutes, Brandon's soft lips warming her soul.

Brooklyn and Isabella both cleared their throats "okay it's Noah's birthday" Isabelle said, "We don't need the birth of anymore babies".

"Not yet" Brandon smirked and winked towards the two of them. "Now I'll get started on the BBQ, those teenagers will bond to be getting hungry soon". He excused himself and headed away.

"Somebody is in love," Brooklyn said. When Madison opened her mouth to deny it Brooklyn raised her hand to silence her "looks here missy, it is as clear as the smile on your face. You are smitten over Brandon Haywood.

"Smitten?" Isabelle chuckled "who says smitten anymore?"

"I do" Brooklyn said now distracted from talking to Madison about her complicated relationship with Brandon.

Instead of thinking about her relationship with Brandon she glanced over at Noah and Anna. The two teens were swimming together in the pool and Anna even laughed at all of Noah's jokes – no matter how lame they were. They would both blush ever so often and they would barley take their eyes off each other.

The sound of the doorbell ringing sounded and caught Madison's attention. Everyone was already there and she was starting to get flash back feelings about the tea party – when Kennedy crashed it.

Madison stood and headed towards the door to answer it. But when she opened it she found that no one was there. However she did notice the silver Mazda driving away.

She frowned a little when she noticed a wrapped package on the ground. It wasn't very large and it was pretty thin. She lifted it and felt how light it was. Written on the front in quick sloppy writing was Noah's name.

Madison knew she shouldn't have opened it – it was Noah's gift after all but she felt as though she had no choice. She was worried about what might be inside it. So she grabbed it and quickly headed into the bathroom. She unwrapped it without any second thought.

"Franklin in the Dark" she read softly holding onto it. She had a bad feeling about this and it wasn't just any Franklin book. She opened the front cover and read the inscription "to my boy on his birthday, love dad".

Her whole body started to shake. Quick breaths of air escaped her lungs. She couldn't do it. She lowered her head between her knees and panted for more air. Alexander couldn't have found them, it just wasn't possible. How could he have found them after all these years? For seven years now he never once tried to contact her, he couldn't come flying into their lives now. He can't just come in and ruin everything she built up over the summer. She wouldn't allow him to.

She dropped to her knees in front of the toilet and opened the lid just in time to vomit into the bowl. Her whole body shook as she gaged up her lunch. She felt weak, as if she couldn't stand again. She took large gulps of air trying to calm her stomach, but nothing work. So she hunched over the toilet and was sick for a second time.

Madison glanced over at the book that was tossed now to the floor. She couldn't let Noah or Brandon see it. Noah has always been bitter with his dad ever since he left them. He had never forgiven him and Madison feared he never would. Months ago Madison used to fear that he would never be able to interact with males ever again because of how his dad treated him in the past. But now seeing how he reacted with Brandon she felt as though he may finally be over coming it. She wasn't going to let him return to his shell any time soon.

She needed to get rid of the stupid book, but with some many people around her house she didn't have much chance to throw it away – other than to run upstairs and hid it in her bottom drawer. As long as Noah didn't find it she would be okay. If Brandon located it she should be able to make something up to cover it.

With the book securely tucked away underneath her clothing she tried to fix her hair as good as she could. She then took a deep breath and headed back outside. To her surprise, standing in the backyard was none other than Kennedy Carter.

Could her day get any worse? First a book from her cheating, lying, and no good ex leaves a book on her porch. And now her 'best friend', cheater and mother of her children's half brothers were standing her yard. What else could go wrong? Was this the lord's way of saying she wasn't meant to be happy?

"Hi Maddie" Caleb cheered and ran towards her excitedly "it's a birthday party".

Madison kneeled down and smiled "yes it is" she said ruffling his head. She stood when she saw Kennedy walk towards her "what are you doing here?" she hissed at the other woman.

Kennedy looked taken back, nearly stunned that she was supposed to be there. As if she knew she was invited. Why would she ever be invited to Madison's son's birthday? "Brandon called the other day and invited me to come with the boys, I thought... well I thought it was your way of reaching out towards me". She hung her head low for a moment "but now I see how wrong I was about it. I'll just get Caleb and Callum and go". She glanced across the yard where the brothers had run off to in order to play with the twins.

"Well you're here now" Madison sighed "might as well let Caleb and Callum enjoy the BBQ". She excused herself and headed over to Brandon, who was working on the burgers "you invited Kennedy?"

Brandon looked at her confused "you said that Emma and Ella could invite one friend, they choose Caleb and Callum. I guess they are a package deal. I thought that it would be okay." He gave her a little shrug. There was no arguing with that. She had agreed to let the girls invite one friend, but she never thought it would be the twin boys.

Brooklyn made a B line for Madison. She hooked arms with her and tugged her away from Brandon "what is she doing here?" she hissed glancing at Kennedy. Madison was right; she must have remembered the name from years ago and when Kennedy was introduced at the tea – well she must have put two and two together.

"Brandon invited her" Madison sighed a little "I said that the girls could invite a friend but I never once imagined that it would be Caleb and Callum".

"Caleb? Callum?" Brooklyn asked curiously, she glanced around until she noticed the new little boy with the girls. "They... they looks just likes Noah".

Madison nodded slowly. She couldn't meet her friend's eyes anymore; softly she said, "That's because they are Alex's kid".

"Mom!" Noah called out to her. He pushed himself out of the pool and stormed towards her as if he was a wild tornado. "What is she doing here?" he hissed pointing towards Kennedy. "That's her isn't it? That's the b-"

"Language" Madison said sternly.

"Witch" he corrected himself. "She's the woman that caused you and Alex to break up isn't she?" that was the first time she ever heard Noah address his birth dad as Alex.

Madison sighed a little, she thought that Noah would be too young to remember Kennedy "I didn't think you would remember her," she said softly.

"I wasn't sure" Noah said "not at first. I was only seven. But I remember aunt Kennedy. She used to come over every Sunday for dinner, and she would always baby sit me". He looked away from his mother "it wasn't under a couple years ago when I was around twelve that I realized why she stopped coming around the same time dad did".

"I guess it wasn't too hard to add two and two together" Madison sighed a little. "She came here with her boys to celebrate your birthday".

"Boys?" Noah asked, "She has a son? Is he..."?

"Yes, she has two sons" Madison whispered, "your half brothers".

Noah let out a low curse – and for the first time Madison didn't correct him. He needed to let his anger towards his dad out. Even if it was just with a curse word. Noah looked over at the little boy "I hate him" he hissed.

"No baby" Madison wrapped an arm around his shoulder and gave his body a squeeze "this had nothing to do with Caleb or Callum,  they are just little boys sandwiched into the drama like you are".

"Alex left them too?" Noah said glancing at her. When she nodded he sighed a little "poor boys".

"Look sweetie, this is your very special day. No one and nothing can come in to change that," Madison said. After having a freak out over having to hide a book she was going to let his day be ruined now. "They are here to eat and then they will leave. That's it. You never have to see them again".

"Dinner's served!" Brandon called setting the table with the last plate of hotdogs. That was all it took to have the five teenager and three young kids rushing to the picnic table.

"Come on" Madison smiled softly "lets go get something to eat". She led her son over to the table and started to deal out the food to everyone.

"Let me help" Kennedy slid in next to her and started to help her by adding a spoonful of pasta salad to each plate.

"Thanks" Madison mumbled. She watched as Caleb crawled into the seat next to Noah and Callum took the seat on the other side.

"Is it your birthday?" the little boys asked the teen.

Noah looked down at him. Madison wasn't sure what to expect, would he ignore the boy? Be rude? But he actually surprised his mother by giving the little boy and answer with a smile "yeah, I'm Noah" he held out his hand.

Callum shook it like a big boy and answered, "I'm Callum and he's Caleb. How old are you".

"You know, you better not ever ask a lady her age, they don't like it" Noah chuckled a little "but I'm fourteen today. What about you?"

The little boys each held up four fingers.

Kennedy watched the two interact with each other "Noah is good for them" she said softly.

"I'm guessing Alex doesn't make much time for them?" Madison said taking a seat.

"Never even met him before" she said softly taking a seat across form Madison. "Noah is lucky to have Brandon to teach him the right way".

"And Caleb and Callum is lucky to have you Kennedy" Madison said reassuringly "never underestimate yourself".

"Who are we underestimating?" Brandon asked sitting down next to Madison smiling. He had a plate piled high with food and he started to eat.

"I was just saying Noah is lucky to have a dad like you" Kennedy said, "I wish sometimes that Caleb and Callum could have someone like you to show them the right way".

Brandon smiled softly "well if you ever need help with one thing or another you can always call us. Even if you just need a sitter. Actually that might be a good first job for Noah. If you need someone to baby-sit him I am sure Noah would love to do it".

"Well now I don't know..." Madison trailed off.

"I'll keep that in mind" Kennedy said turning her attention to her food.

"Can we open presents now?" Noah asked once everyone was done.

"Matt and I will start the fire and then we can open the presents and roast some marshmallows," Brandon said standing.

Matt and Brandon made quick work on the flames as Madison and Brooklyn cleaned the trash and wiped the tabled clean. Once everyone was settled around the fire Madison started to hand out the presents. Several expensive gifts were among the gifts with a flat screen TV from the Haywood's for his room. Madison and Brandon had selected a new game system and several popular games to go with it. They had gotten him some new clothes and a portable speaker. His two sisters had both made him cards and had even made him a pencil holder out of an old can. His friends got him items such as movies or other games. And whatever was written in Anna's card certainly made him blush.

"Our turn" Caleb and Callum cheered standing up and heading to Noah holding a poorly wrapped gift.

"You got him something?" Kennedy asked confused. She had brought along a gift card for Noah but she never expect her boys to have something of their own.

Caleb and Callum nodded and handed it to him. "Open it" Caleb was practically bouncing up and down.

"Think you can help me with it?" Noah asked with a small chuckle. Together him and the little boy opened the gift. "Franklin's sleep over?" Noah asked a little stunned. Madison's jaw nearly dropped. Another Franklin book? It seemed as though these books were coming back to haunt her.

"Maddie said she used to read 'em to you" Callum said smiling.

"That is very true" Noah said lifting the little boy into his lap "maybe you and I can read it together?"

The rest of the evening went off without a hitch after that – until it was bedtime that is. The teens had roast smokes together and Madison even caught them playing spin the bottle once before bed. The girls and boys stayed up for as long as they could but soon it was time for even them to head to bed. Caleb and Callum gave Noah one final big birthday hug before they left with Kennedy.

"I'll see you soon okay?" Brooklyn said giving Madison a hug before she left with her daughter.

"I can't seem to find Annabelle" Isabelle said with a small frown.

"I am sure she's around here somewhere" Madison said and looked around, noticing that Noah wasn't anywhere to be seen either. She crossed the yard to where Brandon was standing near a tree "hey have you-"

"Hush" Brandon whispered. "Look" he pointed just behind the trees; hidden from anyone else view was Noah and Anna standing very close together.

Slowly Noah rested his hand on Anna's cheek. Slowly they both leaned into each other and bonk! Went their heads. They both blushed and laughed it off. They leaned in and tried again. Although their noses were kind of pressed together they still managed to attach their lips.

"That's... that was Noah's first kiss" Madison whispered. Her son... he kissed a girl. She couldn't believe it. It felt like only yesterday Noah promised her that he would never love another woman but his mother. But now here he was kissing a girl.

"Come on" Brandon lead her away "we can't let them know we saw them". They headed towards the tent to make sure the three guys spending the night was comfortable, but they both kept a close eye on the trees until Anna walked out, followed by Noah a few moments later.

Brandon and Madison had both just settled into bed ready for a good night – and well deserved sleep – when they heard loud screams from the backyard.

Both of them jumped out of bed and Brandon tugged an old tennis racket out from under his bed.

"Are you serious?" Madison paused for a moment to eye him with the racket.

"Is now really the time to discuss my self defense methods?" Brandon said. He led her carefully downstairs and towards the backyard. But they stopped mid step when they entered the kitchen.

"Why are you getting my kitchen floor soaking wet?" Madison asked a soaking wet Noah and his three buddies. All four of them were soaked head to toe. She glanced over at Brandon "didn't you turn the timer for the sprinklers off?"

"Damnit" Brandon sighed, "I knew there was something else I was supposed to do this morning".

"Mom, dad" Noah said his eyes wide "what are we going to do now? The tent is soaked. We can't sleep out there".

"Leave it to me" Brandon said excusing himself.

Madison gathered towels and a change of clothing for everyone. For now they would have to borrow a pair of Noah's pajamas – at least until she could get theirs dry. She always made them each a mug of hot chocolate to warm them up.

It took nearly a half hour until Brandon came to get them and lead them to the basement.

"This is so much better" Noah cheered looking around the basement. Brandon had set up the floor with several blows up mattresses with dozens of pillows and blankets. He had turned on the newest Marvel movie on the big screen TV.

"I know this isn't what we promised but it'll have to make do" Brandon said. "You guys can stay up to watch the movie but keep it down okay? Emma and Ella are trying to sleep upstairs".

The boys all nodded and settled onto the mattresses turning the movie on.

Madison and Brandon headed back upstairs to try for a second time to go to sleep. "That was great thinking" Madison said.

Brandon beamed over at her "thanks. I am pretty smart".

"Sometimes you are" Madison giggled.

"Only sometimes?" Brandon raised an eyebrow.

"Well you were coming down here with a tennis racket for protection".

"Hey don't knock it till you try it" Brandon said "the large size make's it easier to hit someone with".

"Yeah, too bad the cords will break before they can do any damage" Madison laughed a little more "the best you could do is give them a racket as a collar".

"I would like to see you do better" Brandon chuckled. He paused on the stairs for a moment to wrap his arms around her waist.

"Oh I can do much better" Madison looped her arms around his neck. She lifted her chin up and pressed her lips against his happily.

Brandon held onto the kiss for several moments. His whole insides being warmed. He held her closer to his chest and pressed his body against hers. When she pulled away he said, "That certainly is a good distraction. But I'm not sure it's good enough" he said with a wink.

"Follow me and you'll see just how good of a distraction I can be" Madison replied with a wink. She wiggled her finger at him and led him up to their bedroom where they shared an evening of pure bliss.